Kansas State University - Royal Purple Yearbook (Manhattan, KS)

Page 26 text:

Completed near the turn of the century this building, dedicated as a library and agricultural science hall and Denison Hall, also named for a former president, housing chemistry, physics and electrical engineering opened in ' 02. named after former president George Fairchild, opened an era of rapid expansion that lasted until the latter 1920 ' s. Construction Surges At Turn of Century The turn of the century brought with it an increased emphasis on education and K-State was no exception among the institutions of higher learning in sharing in this growth. In the first decade and a half of the 1900 ' s, eleven new structures were com- pleted on campus, enlarging the available facilities. The enrollment jumped from 1,089 to 3,094 and admission standards were tightened to improve the quality of students. In 1910 entrance require- ments were set at eight high school units and just three years later this was raised to fifteen. In an effort to constantly improve the school, the curricula was revised in ' 04, ' 08, ' 10, and again in ' 13. It was 1912 when the college was first separated into what we know as schools, then called divisions. An addition to the excellent financial support already being received to allow growth, was the Nelson Amendment of 1907 to the Morrill Act, allowing land-grant schools the then large sum of $25,000 annually after 1911. 22

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Jamming the building to the roof to see the Cats in action, students find that Nichols Gymnasium is far from adequate. As emphasis on sports, particularly basketball, grew stronger, fans demanded that action be taken. Teams of the past played without the ben- efit of today ' s padded uniforms and headgear. Despite the poor field conditions and threat of bad weather, they faith- fully sought gridiron recognition for KSAC. 21

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In the early years of the 1900 ' s the school abounded with literary societies, which engaged in theatrical performances, oratorical contests and debates. The number of these prede- cessors of fraternities rose to eight amidst the competition. This campus view of around 1914 shows the tremendous growth that took place during the first decade and a half of the 1900 ' s. As enrollment continued to expand at an impres- sive rate, new facilities were in constant need in all areas. 23